Letter from Flossie Briggs to George Hackney, 1 October 1916 Letters 1916-1923 Flossie Briggs

This work was originally published by Maynooth University in Ireland in 2017. In 2026 this data, stored in a relational database was extracted and converted into this TEI/XML document.

 Austrian Centre for Digital Humanities Vienna, AT 2026

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A letter from Flossie Briggs to George Hackney (1889-1977). Flossie opens the letter with an account of her train journey from Sheffield back to the Guest House in Hope, Derbyshire, where she works. She tells him that 'we have the full number of guests for the weekend (over 60)', but they will be less busy during the week. She apologises that her visit to George coincided with the visit of his sister-in-law, and she worries that her own presence as a stranger spoiled the visit. She finishes the letter by making arrangements for her next visit.This letter is from the papers of George Naphthali Hackney , a Lance Corporal from Clifton, Belfast. Before his time in the army, he worked as a book-keeper for a florist. He was the youngest in a Presbyterian family of six, with three older sisters. In 2014, his collection of photographs taken in the trenches were made available to the public in an Ulster Museum exhibition, and his life and photography became the subject of a BBC documentary, 'The Man who Shot the Great War'.

 Public Record Office of Northern Ireland Papers of George Hackney, Belfast, D3503/5/1-6-4 https://letters1916.ie/item/730 English Flossie Briggs 1916-10-01 The Guest House, Hope, Derbyshire, England George Hackney 31 Ward, 'D' Block, Wharncliffe War Hospital, Sheffield, England Female World War I (1914-1918) Country and City Life

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 The Guest House Hope via Sheffield Oct 1st 1916 Dear Mr Hackney, After a mad rush and scramble I managed to get the train I aimed for. The station was packed with people & somehow I lost sight of my luggage (and the porter in whose charge it was!) However 'alls well'- ek - and I arrived safely — bag & baggage — here! The Staff all seemed pleased to have me back again, (I'll be getting spoiled & conceited!) and now, today, when in harness again. Eastbourne seems like a dream — though a happy one. We have the full number of guests for the weekend (over 60), but during the week the number goes down to less than half, I believe. Now I must tell you how pleased I was to spend a short time with you yesterday, & that you are progressing favourably in health. I was sorry that the visit of your sister-in-law & her sister happened the same time as mine — for I fear they would not enjoy the time with you as much as they anticipated, with me, a stranger to them being present. I was selfishly sorry, too. But never mind, I say, another chance may turn up ere long. In fact I already have a proposition to offer. Owing to a large number of Free Guests coming here next week & then my 'Head's' absence on holiday I shall not be able, I'm afraid, to have a full 'off' day during that time so I am to have one this week, and as far as I know today, it will be Thursday. Now, if you would like, I will come over to see you on that day. it would be a pleasure to me to do so. I know you are expecting your brother some time this week — that's right isn't it? — so please if he is to come on Thursday, don't think I shall be offended if you ask me not to come. I quite understand, 'Patsy'. And in that case we can arrange something later. See? I don't know when you will get this letter — the posts from here are very erratic, but perhaps you wouldn't mind answering as soon as it is convenient. Of course I should go to Sheffield in the morning so could be up to the Hospital early in the afternoon. Do you think you would be allowed out by then? Or only just to the gate again? But no thinking about that till I hear again from you. Now mind! just please yourself and I will fall in with your decision. So, for tonight, goodbye. Every good wish to you from Flossie Briggs envelope envelope The Guest House, Hope, Derbyshire, England Letter from Flossie Briggs to George Hackney, 1 October 1916 31 Ward, 'D' Block, Wharncliffe War Hospital, Sheffield, England Letter from 'Ernie' to George Hackney, 18 September 1916Letter to George Hackney, 21 September 1916Letter from Flossie Briggs to George Hackney, 1 October 1916Letter from Flossie Briggs to George Hackney, 28 September 1916Letter from John S. Campbell to George Hackney, 20 September 1916Letter from Elizabeth Hackney to George Hackney, 1 October 1916 Flossie Briggs Letter from Flossie Briggs to George Hackney, 1 October 1916Letter from Flossie Briggs to George Hackney, 28 September 1916